At an October 26 public meeting about engineering design improvements planned for Federal Boulevard between W. 5th Avenue and Howard Place (14th Avenue), Denver Public Works announced plans to apply for grant funds from the Department of Transportation TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) program. If awarded, the funds provide the dollars to construct significant improvements as presented in draft form at the public meeting. It is believed the total project cost is approximately $20 million.

Improvements presented at the meeting include widening Federal allowing the construction of a third northbound lane, adding 16′ raised center medians, reconfiguration of certain key intersections, new curb and gutter, drainage improvements and wider sidewalks. The project requires the purchase of additional right-of-way along most of the east side of Federal, which depending on the property may involve the purchase several feet of property or the entire property.

Probably the biggest design concerned involved the lack of pedestrian separation from the roadway, as well as the lack of landscaping along both the east and west sides of Federal..

During the meeting, copies of large design drawings and roadway site plans were available. Property owners and nearby residents who attended the meeting were able review and comment on the drawings as well as speak with representatives of Denver Public Works and the Planning and Engineering firm hired by the city for the project. Construction drawings will be completed during the winter of 2011/2012 and if funding is provided by the TIGER program, construction could begin in 2013.

There were many questions from those in attendance about the timing of the project whether funded or not, how property acquisition would work, how long the project would take to construct and several design ideas. In particular, Kathy Sandoval a nearby resident and board member of both the Partnership and the Villa Park Neighborhood Organization expressed concerned with the lack of pedestrian separation from Federal. “Surely” commented Kathy, “reconstruction is the time to deal with all the pedestrian safety and enhancement issues because this is our one good shot, it won’t happen otherwise”.

For a bit of history about this project and how it came to be, read an article from last year at the following link. The city will learn whether the project is funded in early 2012.